Dawn of new season brings plenty to discuss

Like many of you, I awoke in an apprehensive haze Monday morning. If cranked at all, my gray matter had been idling, at best, since early December.

	Marty Smith

And as my eyes peeled open to appease an obnoxious alarm clock, reality hit me like a Tony Stewart forearm shiver: "the holiday is over, son. It's time to open her up."

As I limped down the stairs to the coffee pot -- a vital safe haven amid the imminent hurricane - I stumbled on a step and suffered a debilitating case of turf toe. I'm still hobbling. While the coffee perked, I fired up the ol' laptop to face what was sure to be an inbox inundated with inquiries and insults.

You see, the last article I'd scribed prior to the holiday was a projected top-10 list in the 2003 championship battle, one in which I failed to include perennial title contenders Rusty Wallace, Dale Jarrett and Sterling Marlin.

Obviously, I was in for it. Any time your job entails prognostication, be it weather, palm-reading, sports, whatever, you'd better come equipped with skin as thick as a Tennessee ham. And failure to mention three of NASCAR's most popular wheelmen? Well, you might want to invest in some good camouflage.

My assumption couldn't have been more accurate. Responses were multitudinous and, more often than not, malicious. But oddly enough, the hatred was refreshing. I had to smile.

Right before my eyes lay a stark reminder why this sport has blown up like a Hendrick engine at Talladega. It's real. It's real people voicing real opinions.

With the new year's dawn comes the promise of a new season, and you NASCAR faithful are restless and cranky. You haven't seen a race car in two months. Your beloved heroes haven't graced the screen at all since early December. You're Jonesin' like Buckshot.

Don't believe me? One guy sent me 10 separate e-mails, each with a freaking dissertation regarding why such-and-such would finish in such-and-such position. And that was only the beginning. Here's a brief look at what I witnessed that foggy morning:

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It's bad enough that we've got no racing, no Totally NASCAR and 32 inches of snow on the ground from two storms, but nothing to read on NASCAR.com? What's next? You're acting like you need a vacation or something. Get off your duff and submit a story. -- Sheila

Thanks for the support, Sheila. It's greatly appreciated. One wonders, however, how you got wind that I got a bit overzealous in the holiday smorgasbord? You're correct. I ate too much and should renew my gym membership. But, I'd assume if you're reading this, you're aware that my duff is no longer stationary. It's a start.

Again, Smith, you are full of (bleep). Watch a Ford driver win the championship. Watch the Ford drivers dominate the top 10. Martin will be in the top three again. You are such a people-pleasing (bleep)-head.

Not too sure about the pleasing part. He sure doesn't seem very joyous to me. Great analysis, though, chief. I only picked three Fords to finish in the top 10. Hence, the blue oval brigade is livid, so much so that this guy's e-mail actually teetered on the brink of kind.

In fact, he even took the time to e-mail me an apology for his harshness. He certainly didn't have to do that, but it was nice, nonetheless.

If a Ford driver wins the championship, I'll dye my hair blue just for this guy.

I always enjoy your column. I think it is funny, insightful and at times emotionally touching, but I have a single question regarding your published top 10 picks for next year.

How much is Home Depot paying you?

Please... Tony Stewart for next year and 2004?

Get real!! I made a copy of your list, I am writing it down on my November desk calendar along with your e-mail address so I can write and make fun of you then. I hate to be the one to break this to you, but you are really delusional if you think the other guys you had listed are going to let that crybaby sneak by them again this year.

Hoping I don't have to eat these words -- Sharon

Don't worry, Sharon. I'm never right. I do, however, wish Home Depot was paying me. My deck is in dire need of an overhaul.

I did not see one Dodge driver picked. The thing that makes me upset the most is my driver led for 26 races and missed seven races, and still finished three places higher than your first pick of Kevin Harvick. I truly believe that NASCAR.com does not give my driver, Sterling Marlin, as much attention as the other drivers. I can't wait until the end of the season to see how many Dodges finish in the top 10.

Sometimes, a little homework isn't such a bad idea. Ryan Newman, my third-place choice, will drive a Dodge in 2003. And just for the record, I won't be a bit surprised if Rusty and Sterling both finish in the top 10, despite the fact that I didn't pick them.

If either or both of them finish in the top 10, I'll drink 10 Miller Lites and 10 Coors Lights. (Tough bet, I know).

	According to one NASCAR.com user, Marty Smith chose warmth over style during championship week in New York. Credit: Autostock

I read Track Smack fairly regularly and I'm wondering why you always come off as some kind of badass? Maybe it's because you're a skinny little runt? Your predictions are usually wrong and I wonder why they even have you on. Are you a "dawg?"

See, Sharon. I told you I'm rarely correct.

OK, I gotta know, what was up with the jacket to your tux for the awards? You don't have a woman to help you out do you? -- Kate

Well, Kate, it's a brand new concept called staying warm. It's been in use since, oh, I don't know, the outset of humanity or so.

It's a new year. Speedweeks is just around the corner and there's plenty to discuss. Let the trash talk begin.

Marty Smith's column appears on NASCAR.com every week. The opinions listed here are solely those of the writer.